Lace-knitting machine.



L SPRINGTHORPE.

[ACE KNlzTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1912.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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l. SPRINGTHORPE.

LACE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. s, 1912.

Patented Dec; 21, 1915.

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LACE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1912.

1,165,294. Patented Dec.21,1915.

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APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, I912.

1,165,294. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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I..SPRINGTHORPE.

LACE KNITTING MACHINE. v

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, I912.

' Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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LACE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. a, 1912.

1,165,294. Patented Dec.21,1915.

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l. SPRINGTHORPE.

LACE KN|TT'|NG' MAOH|NE. I v I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, IBIZ- 1.,165,294. a: I Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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l. SPRINGTHORPE. LACE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 6, 1912.

1,165,294. Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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LACE KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV- 6, 1912- 1,165,294. v Patentgd Dec. 21, 1915 10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

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I. SPRINGTHORiE.

LAGE KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 6 1912 Kw 1 o 9 I 1 H c 31,1; 9 U M TKTWIIIl/l/II? D E t ui w 1, 7 w w W U 00 lw P 4 9 5 6 1 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC SPRINGTHORPE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

LACE-KNITTING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC SPRINGTHORPE, a citizen of the United States. residing at Germantown, Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lace-Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to fabric knitting machines, and more particularly to the class of machines for the manufacture of pattern lace.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a machine wherein the thread guides and needles which coiiperate with each other are effectively actuated and controlled so that the knitting of lace of various patterns may be accomplished during the operation of the machine.

Another object of the invention is .the provision of a machine of this character wherein the thread guides are controlled and actuated in their movements from a series of specially designed pattern chains, the needles coiperating with the thread guides being vertically, obliquely and horizontally movable for efiecting the proper casting of the threads in the formation of the lace fabric, thereby eliminating the usual rocking of the thread guides through an arc and the intersecting of the are at intervals by the needles, which is common in machines heretofore constructed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein a series of needles will be caused to traverse a triangular path for coiperation with laterally movable thread guides which are actuated and controlled through specially designed pattern chains, thereby knitting a certain pattern of lace fabric without requiring the rocking of the thread guides in an arc and the intersection of the needles at intervals in the are, thus eliminating complicated mechanism in the machine and assuring positive and efiective working thereof with a resultant uniform'formation of a lace fabric of any predetermined design.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the cams for actuating and controlling the movements of the needles may be readily adjusted, thereby varying the course or throw of the needles relative to the path of movement thereof with respect to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 6, 1912. Serial No. 729,865-BEI D Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

thread guides which are slmu aneous y operated for the proper placing of the threads in the manufacture of lace fabrics of various patterns.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this characterin which a minimum number of Working parts are employed, the said parts being arranged to produce the desired results with minimum movements of the needles and thread guides.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character in which the means for actuating the rows of thread guides consist of link chains, the component parts of which are selected ac cording to the pattern of the lace fabric desired to be knitted.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character wherein the mechanism thereof is controlled and actuated for the various movements of the needles and thread guides necessary in the knitting of any pattern of lace fabric.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a. machine of this character wherein the lace fabric will be acted upon through the medium of take up mechanism so as to avoid the tangling of the completed work in the parts of the machine or undue stretching thereof during the knitting of the said fabric while the machine is in operation.

Other objects will be obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings :-Figure l is a fragmenthe preceding positions.

with relation'to the thread guides. Fig. 7 is a. similar view showing the second or next operative position of the needles with respect to the thread guides.

through the chain drum. showing one form.

of pattern chain. Fig. 10 is a similar view showing another form of pattern chain. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a still further form of pattern chain. Fig. 12 is a-similar view showing a still further form of pattern chain. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 1313 of Fig. 1. showing the connection between the thread guide bars and the various pattern chains. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary edge elevation of one of the pattern chains. showing the position of the drive pins and the manner of joining the links of the chains together. Fig. 15 is a fragmentary horizontal transverse sectional view on the line 15 15 of Fig. 2, illustrating one of the reciprocating cam bars which controls the movement of the needle bar. Fig. 16 is a top plan view of one of the reciprocating cam bars. Fig. 17 is a side elevat1on thereof. Fig. 18 1s a fragmentary sec tional view through the main drive shaft, showing the cams which operate the reciprocating pitmen for controlling the transverse horizontal moveinent of the needle bar. Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the part shown in Fig. 18. Fig. 20 is a vertical sectional diagrammatic view illustrating the course of the threads from the warp beams to the work take-up rolls with the needles, work plate and thread guides in their initial position. Fig. 21 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view through a series of the thread guides, showing the relative position of one of the needles, work plate and the said thread guides. Fig. 22 is a View similar to Fig. 21, showing the next relative position of the needle.-work plate and thread'guides. Fig'. 23 isa view similar to Fig. 21, showing the next or final relative position of the needles. work plate and thread guides, with the needles about to cast the stitches formed in Fig. 24 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the thread guides interposing threads within the path of the open needles.

Similarreference numerals indicate cor-'.

responding parts throughout the several views.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the legs A and cross sills B constitute the base or foundation upon which the machine is supported or rests, and C designates the basketor receptacle for receiving the finished lace fabric product. i

-' The machine comprises a maiii frame ineluding duplicate sides D, the feet 10 of which are adapted to rest upon the cross sills B of the base or foundation, while bolted or otherwise secured to and rising from the upperend or top of the main frame D is a superposed frame structure comprising duplicate side members 11, the same being formed with forwardly and rearwardly extending spaced alining rack arms 12 and 13, respectively, the main and superposed frame structures having their sides connected togetherthrough the medium of tie rods 14, which extend transversely of the said frames and are fastened to the sides thereof in any suitable manner. The rack arms 12 and 13 are formed as usual in their upper edges with spaced alining seats or notches 15, in which are detachably engaged the journaled ends 16 of warp carrying rollers 17, which are arranged in superposed pairs, but it is to be understood that any number of these rollers may be arranged in the superposed structure for the carrying of the required warp threads for the successful and effective operation of the machine. The rollers 17 will be hereinafter referred to as warp beams, and are acted upon by means of brake straps or cords 18 'which are trained about the same and also about fixed parts of the frame structure, the ends of the straps or cords being-provided with weights 19 which sustain them taut about the beams 17 for controlling the speed of rotation thereof during the working of the machine.

Suitably fixed to the inner faces of the sides D of the main frame at a point spaced below the lowermost war-p beams 16 are opposed brackets 20 for the suppprting an upper series of fixed tension rollers 21 and a lower series of movable tension rollers 22, the brackets being provided with upper and lower series of vertical slots 23 and 24, respectively, in which the ends of the tension rollers'are engaged. The upper series of slots 23 open through the top edges of the brackets or supports 20 so as to permit the convenient removal of the upper tension rollers 21, while the lower series of slots 24 are closed at opposite ends to limit the vertical movement of the lower tension rollers 22, the warps or threads from the beam 16 being trained over the said upper and lower tension rollers 21 and 22 when engaged in the thread guides hereinafter described.

Suitably fastened to the sides D of the main frame at the inner faces thereof are L-shaped brackets 25 with opposed horizontal guide grooves 26 in which are engaged adjustable U-shaped yokes 27, the ends of the said yokes being tapped with .set screws 28 which are passed through signed to work against'the upper edge of the yoke 27, so that the gage plates 31 can be accurately adjusted vertically in the guideway 30, the gage plate 31 being locked in its adjusted position by means of set screws 34 threaded therein andwvorking through vertical slots 35 formed in each yoke 27. The gage plates 31 are arranged opposite each other and carry a series of,

vertically adjustable guide bar holders 36, each being formed with a vertical slot-37 through which is passed a set screw 38, the same being engaged in the gage plate 31 for adjustably fastening the said holder 36 thereto.

Carried by and laterally movable below the holders 36 is a series of guide bars 39 formed at their upper edges near opposite ends thereof with pairs of spaced lugs 40 in which are mounted adjustable guide pins 41, the same loosely and slidably engaged in perforations 42 formed in the lower ends of the guide bar holder 36. whereby the said guide bars 39 will be slidably suspended by the said holders 36 for lateral movement in the machine.

Fixed to one side D of the main frame, exteriorly thereof are spaced outwardly extending supports 42' which are formed near their outer ends with split bearings 43 in which is journaled a driven pattern chain drum operating shaft 44 for actuating and controlling the pattern chain mechanism, which comprises a drum 45 formed with a series of spaced peripheral sprocket ribs 46 providing chain receiving channels 47 therebetween, each sprocket rib being formed at intervals with notches 48 and 49 for the engagement therein of the detachable pivots 50 connecting the links 51 of the-series of pattern chains and the driving lugs 52 mounted therein, respectively,

, so that the said pattern chains will be driven by the drum 45 on rotation of the shaft 44, the same being actuated in a manner presently described.

. Secured to the side D of the main frame between the supports 42 in a guide block 53 in which is slidably mounted a series of slides 54- carrying at their outer ends friction rollers55 which are adapted to engage the cam surfaces of the links 51 of the pattern chains, so that the latter will impart the required movement to the slides which are adapted to engage at their inner ends the adjustable pins 41.to impart the necessarylateral movement to the guide bars 39. Fixed to each guide bar 39 at the end contiguous to the guide block 43 are hook plates 56 which engage one end of a coiled contractile spring 57, the opposite end of which is fixed to a cross tie rod 58 mounted in the supports 42', the-springs 57 being designed to operate upon the guide bars 39 for sustaining the adjustable pins 41 in positive abutting relation to the inner ends of the slides 54, thereby assuring a positive movement to be imparted to the said guide bars from the pattern chains during the operation of the machine.

Detachab-ly fixed to each of the guide bars 39 are anchoring blocks 59, preferably made from lead, in which are anchored a series of thread guides 60, through the eyes 61 of which are trained the warp threads from the-warp beams 16 supported in the superposed frame structure of the machine.

Fixed to the side D of the main frame opposite the guide block .53 is a slotted guide sector 62. In the slot 63 therein are adjusta'bly mounted guide pins 64 with which slidably engage the slotted ends 65 of holding arms 66 which are fixed to the right hand ends of the guide bars 39, it being seen that on adjustment of the pins 64 in the slotted sector 62 the guide bars 39 will be sustained angularly adjusted, thereby positioning the thread guides 60 in proper relation to each other. Fixed to the supports 42 and rising therefrom are sector-shaped hangers 67 to which are pivoted pattern chain supporting bars or beams 68, on which are adjustably mounted roller supporting brackets 69 in which are journaled pattern chain guide rollers 70 over which travel the pattern chains, the hangers 67 being formed with arcuate-shaped slots 71 in which are en-' gaged locking bolts 72 carried by the bars or beams 68, whereby the latter can be secured in the desired angular position.

Formed at the front of the main frame or connected with the sides D thereof, are split bearings 73 in which is journaled a main driving shaft thereto a beveled pinion 7 5 meshing with a beveled gear 76 fixed to the driven shaft 44 so that motion from the main shaft 74 will be imparted to the driven shaft 44 for oper- 74, one end of which has fixedatingv the pattern chains, while carried at the opposite end of the shaft 74 are tight and loose belt pulleys 77 and 78, respectively. over either of which is trained a shift drive belt 79 which is driven from any suitable motive power; the belt 79 when engaged on the fixed pulley 77 will impart rotation to the shaft 7 4, and on the shifting of the belt to the last pulley 78 the said shaft 74 will remain passive, thus the machine being at a standstill.

Integrally formed with the sides D of the main frame at a point below the thread guides 60 are knee plates 80 having bolted or otherwise fastened to their upper faces near the rear ends thereof angle pieces 81 which serve as guides, while fixed to the front ends of the said knee plates are angle pieces 82, the same being similar to the angle pieces 81 but face in the opposite direction with respect thereto, and have mounted thereon'an'gle guides 83, and mova-bly mounted in the angle pieces 81' and 82 are slidable cam rails 84, the same being formed with laterally extending'flanges 85 which are overlapped by angle plates 86 bolted or otherwise fastened to the angle pieces 81 and 82, the cam rails 84 being formed with cam surfaces 87 and 88, respectively, while mounted upon the said rails 84 are diagonally adjustable cam plates 89, each being formed with a flange 90 engaging in a slot 91 provided in the side of each ra1l 84. and also provided with a slot 92 in which is engaged a'securing bolt 93 carried by the cam rail 84, and in this manner the cam plate 89 is secured in adjusted position on the cam rail.

Secured to the upper edges of the cam rails 84 near their rear ends are ears 94 to which are pivoted levers'95 which are also adjustably pivoted at 96 to rocking arms 97 fixed to a rock shaft 98 journaled in bearings 99 carried upon the feet 10 of the sides D of the main frame. Also fixed to the rock shaft 98 is a rocking arm 100 to which is pivotally connected a pitman 101 provided with an eccentric cam ring or strap 102 engaged about an adjustable eccentric disk 103 provided with parallel slots 104 through which are passed adjusting bolts 105, the same being engaged in a disk 106 formed with a central hub 107 fixed to the driving shaft 74, the said eccentric disk 103 being cut away at 108 to accommodate the driving shaft 74 so that the said disk 103- can'be readily adjusted by the bolts to increase or decrease the eccentric action thereof for regulating the throw of the pitman 101 for actuating the cam rails 84 for imparting, the required sliding movement thereto for operating the needle supportlng and operating mechanism, presently describe I Resting upon the upper surfaces 'of. the knee plates 80 between the angle pieces 81 and 82 are downwardly depending bolsters 109 on the inner vertical faces ofwhich are bolted or otherwise secured lift rod guides 110 having slidably engaged therein vertically movable lift rods 111 to the upper ends of which are fixed bearings 112 having mounted therein jqurnaled studs 113 carrying rollers 114 whlch are adapted to travel upon the cam surfaces of the cam rails 84 and the cam plate 89, for imparting the vertical movement to the lift rods 111, which have bolted thereto brackets 115 supporting a. needle bar 116 to which are detachably connected a series of needle ancho ring blocks 117 having anchored therein needles 118 each of which is of the usual knitting fneedle type, the blocks being preferably constructed from lead and are cast about the needles 118 for permanently fastening them therein. Mounted in the for-- oted at 127 one end of an eccentric throw arm'128, the same being formed with a slotted end 129 engaged about a square bearing block 130 formed with a hub 131 surrounding a'bushing 132 pinned or otherwise fixed to the main shaft 74. Surrounding the bushing 132 at one side of the throw arm 128 is the hub 133 of a cam 134, the hub 133 being fixed to the bushing so as to rotate with the main shaft 74, and the cam 134 is engaged by a cam roller 135 mounted upon a stud 136, fixed to the throw arm 128 at one end of the slot therein,'while fixed to the throw arm 128 at the opposite end of the slot therein, and projected opposite the stud 136 is a stud 137 on which is journaled a cam roller 138, the latter engaging in a cam race 139 formed in a .cam. 140'fixed to the main driving shaft 74, the cam 140 being designed to properly time the downward movement of the throw rod 128, while the cam 134 serves to raise the same at the proper interval, thus giving positive movements to the throw rod 128.for the shifting of the needle bar 116 on the reciprocation of the bolsters 109 and thereby imparting horizontal movement to the needle. The lift rods 111 under the action of the cam surfaces 87 and 88.on the cam rails 84 and the adjustable cam plates 89 will vertically shift the needle bar 116 for the rise and fall of the needles connected therewith, so that the latter will cooperate with the thread guides 60 forthe placing of the warp threads in the production of the lace fabric while the sters 109, the bases of the brackets being formed with slots 146 through which are passed securing bolts 147 which are engaged in the bolsters 109 and serve to adjustably connect the brackets 145 thereto, the supports connected with the work plate 141 being adjustably connected to the bracket by means of bolts 118, while fixed to the said brackets 145 at the outer sidethereof are hangers 119 provided with perforated ears 150 in which are adjustably engaged hooks 151 having connected thereto a latch wire 152, it being seen that by adjusting the hooks 151 the tension of the wire 152 can be increased or decreased as may be required, and this wire 152 is designed to act upon the latches 153 of the needles 118 and r engaged by the hooked ends 156 of clamps 157 which embrace the cross rails 158 of the sides I) of the main frame. The hangers 151 are provided with vertical slots 1.51 in which are mounted displaceable bearings 160 receiving rotatable shafts 161 supporting work take-up rolls 162, 163 and 161, respectively, and these carry meshing gears 165 which are fixed thereto in any suitable manner and impart motion to the take-up rolls, causing the same to move in unison, the shaft 161 on the roll 162 being projected through one of the bearings 160 beyond its hanger 159, and has fixed thereto a gear 166 meshing with a pinion'167 fixed to a stub shaft 168 journaled in a bearing 169, the arm [70 of which is adj ustably connected by means of a bolt 171 to the cross rail 158, and this stub shaft 168 has fixed thereto a ratchet feed wheel 172 which is acted upon by means of a pair of pawls or ratchet dogs 173 and 171, respectively, the same being adjustably connected in arcuate shaped slots 175 formed in a rocking lever 176 pivoted at 177 to the side D adjacent thereto of the main frame.

The lever 176 has adjustably connected thereto a throw rod 178 provided with an eccentric band or strap 179 engaged about an eccentric 180 fixed to the main driving shaft 71 so that on the rotation of the latter the throw rod 178 will rock the lever 176, thus moving the pawls or dogs 173 and 171, which act upon the ratchet wheel 172 rotating the latter and thereby imparting rotation to the take up rolls 162, 163 and 161 which act upon the finished work for' taking'up the slack therein and delivering it from the machine.

To aid in casting the stitches it is advantageous to increase the tension of the finished work, and to produce the desired tension the take up rolls 163 and 161 areplaced relativel below and in front of the needle bar when in normal or rear position so that the said take up rolls will pull the finished work out of a straight line during the backward movement of the needle bar, thereby increasing the tension upon the finished work. By reason of adjustably mounting the hangers upon the sides D of the main frame of the machine the said hangers can be moved backward or forward on the frame to increase or decrease the amount of excess tension upon the finishedwork. When increased tension is exerted upon the finished work an accelerated rotation of the take-up rolls is effected by the proper adjustment of the dogs 173 and 171 so as to properly actuate the ratchet wheel 17 2 whereby the slack in the finished work will be taken up as the needle bar 116 advances.

Arranged within the hangers 151 and acting upon the'uppermost bearings 160 are coiled tension springs 181, the same working against top bearing plates 182 fixed 'to the upper ends of the hangers, and are designed to effect a secure hold on the finished work irrespective of the variance in the thickness of the finished work, the springs 181 being engaged with centering lugs 183 integrally formed on the top plates 182 to avoid a displacement of the springs.

The peripheral surface of the take-up roll 162 is sanded or roughened as at 181 so as to prevent the slipping of the finished work when acted upon by the said take-up roll.

Fixed to one side of the hangers 151 is'an inclined guide or shield plate 185 which is interposed in the path of the finished work as it falls from the roller 163 so as to deflect the work outwardly and prevent the contact thereof with the sanded or roughened surface of the roller 162, thereby avoiding inter ference therewith.

Bolted or otherwise secured to the sides D of the main frame at the rear thereof are fixed cam arms 186 provided with cam ends 187 which oppose the cam surface 88 on the cam rails 81, and are designed to act upon the upper surfaces of the rollers 150 so as to assure the positive lowering of the lift rods 111 carrying the needle bar 116 during lows :The requisite number of warp beams are placed upon the arms 12v and 13 after the said beams have been wound with warp threads, and the brake straps 18 are wound of, between or at the rear. of the various thread guides 60, each thread being insert- 7 ed in its proper eye 61, as shown in Figs.

20 to 24, inclusive, of the drawings, afterwhich the threads are .continued downward and wound about the work take-up rolls 162,

163 and 164, respectively. A pattern ordesign having now been selected which is desired to be knitted, the links 51 of the pattern chains are assembled accordingly and are mounted upon the chain drum 45 and supporting rolls 70, it being seen that the cam faces of the chain links 51 will be engaged by the rollers 55 on the outer ends of the slides 5-1, and that as the cam faces of the said links vary in height the slides 54 will be moved longitudinally, imparting a like motion to the abutting pins 41 and thus shifting laterally the thread guiding bars 39, the pins 41 being held against the ends of the slides 54 by the tension of the springs 57. As will be readily understood the object of this movement is to draw the various threads across the path of the needles 118 as they move forward and backward through the rows of thread guides. The threads passing through one or more rows of guides 61 will form a base or foundation for the lace fabric, and the manipulation of the other guides 60 as predetermined when. assembling the various pattern chains will knit the desired pattern upon this foundation. The latch needles 118 are of a form common to machines of the knitting type,

and operate in conjunction with the tapered.

work plate 141, and it can be said that the hooks of these needles in knitting some patterns of lace move through a path which may be described as a right angle triangle, first rising perpendicularly on the short side of the triangle at the rear side of the machine, then advancing horizontally to ward. the front toward the rows of thread guides 60, during whichmovement the backs of the needles will engage and carry for- Ward the design threads which have been placed for this purpose'by the thread guides, as shown in Figs, 20 to 2-4 inclusive of the drawings. A manipulation of one or more rows of thread guides then takesplace to bring the foundation thread or threads in position for the take up by the needle hooks as the needles 118 again move backwardly and downwardly, the movements .of the needles being controlled through'the action of the lift rods 111 and the'cam rails 84, thus during this downward and backward movement the latches 153 of the needles'l18 close to cast the stitches already on the needles, the foundation threads being retained by the hooks in the meanwhile. As heretofore stated, to aid in casting the stitches it is' adplish this take-up mechanism is adjusted in a manner as'heretofore set forth. As the needle bar 116 rises the needles 118 move upward through the foundation threads, which now form loops around the bases of the needles and remain in this position until they are in turn cast at the next downward movement of the needle bar. To prevent false movement of the latches 153 of the needles 118 as the needles rise the latch wire 152 acts upon the latches for this purpose. 7

89 of the cam rails 84, it being seen that I an oblique movement of the needle bar will be produced by moving the bolsters 109 longitudinally on the upper faces of the knee plates 80, causing the lift rods 111 to move vertically as the rollers 114 travel up or down the inclined faces of the said cam rails 84 while the latter remain stationary, but a movement of the rails 84 With the bolsters 10E remainingstationary will cause the needle bar'to rise or fall vertically, and it is through the combined longitudinal movement of the rails 84 and the horizontal movement of the bolsters 109 on the said knee plates 80 that the verily timed movements of the needles are produced in any direction necessary in conjunction with the lateral movements of the thread guides to knit the pattern desired is accomplished.

While heretofore it has been described that the needles move in a triangular path,

knitting a certain pattern of lace, it is tobe clearly understood that this is only one of the paths of movement of the said needles,

since other patterns of lace will require different movements of the needles in different paths, for instance, the needles having reached their highest point and advanced through the thread guides may recede through the readjusted guides before begin- -n1ng their descent to c'ast'the stitches. It is the links to each other the same may be reversed, thereby varying the action of the pattern 01131118 for controlling the movements of the needle guides. If six needles and six thread guides are provided to the inch, the unit of variation between the height of the links will be one-sixth of an inch. A link one inch high will thus cause a longitudinal movement of a thread guide bar past six needles, while a link one-half an inch high will move the thread guides past three needles.- Should finer or coarser needles with a thread guide be used with a.

correspondingly similar number to the inch, then the unit of variation would of necessity be in accordance therewith. In all cases the unit of variation in the height of the chain links would be the same as the distancebetween any pair of needles or thread guides. The use of the arms 66 fastened to the end of each guide bar 39 serves as a steadier to properly adjust the various rows of guides laterally with relation to each other and to the needle bar, and the said arms 66 are merely intended-to tilt the IQWS of thread guides to the proper angle and sustain the same against lateral displacement while the needles are traveling back and forth in pulling the foundation and design threads. The adjustable yokes 27 permit the proper adjustment of the thread guide bar hangers 3G to allow of the necessary movement of the adjustable pins 41 engaged in the said hanger. It is necessary that two links of the chain are traversed in each course of the pattern, and that the chain drum is of sufficient circumference to carry eight links in a complete chain.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will be clearly understood, and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

What is claimed ist I 1.. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, and mechanismfor simultaneously moving the needles in the said named directions and also for shifting the thread guides.

2. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a seriesof angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the cally, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, means impartingmovement to said guides,- lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, adjustable means on the last-named means for obliquely moving the needles, reciprocating slide cams ac: tuating the lift rods, .and means for positively lowering the needles.

4. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and, obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, and a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides.

5. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at' right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, and adjustable cams carried by the slide cams.

6. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the cam slides, and means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles.

7. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuatingthe lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the-movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, and take-up mechanism arranged below the needles. x

8. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively-lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting uponthe thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally movingthe needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, and

actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, and adjustable abutment pins carried bythe thread guides and in engagement with the said slides.

11. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, recipro' eating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connec tions between the take-up mechanism and ing the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, and

means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains.

10. In a lmitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement ofthe needles, means for horizontally-shifting the needles, reciprocating .slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively low- 1 ering the. needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means'simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, ac-

tuating connections between the take-up gles to the path of movement of the needles, 13o

the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adj ust'able abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, and means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles.-

12. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustableslidable thread guides movable at right angles to'the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by thev slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, takeup mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles, and means for adjusting the last-named means.

13. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right anlift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and. closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, and guides horizontally supporting the slide cams.

14. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains'controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, and a plurality of warp beams adjustably supported above the thread guides.

15. In a lmitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a se-' ries of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and means, means acting upon the slides forv positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guideshorizontally supporting the slide cams, a plurality of warp beams adj ustably supported above the thread guides, and brakes controlling the warp beams.

16. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the'slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, actuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, a plurality of warp beams adjustably supported above the thread guides, brakes controlling the warp, beams, and means for increasing or decreasing the throw of the operating means.

17. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift iods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains,'adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles,

means for adjusting the last-named means,

guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, a plurality of warp beams adjustably supported above the thread guides, brakes controlling the warp beams, means for increasing or decreasing the throw of the operating means, and .series of fixed and vertically movable tension rods arranged between the thread guides and the warp beams.

18. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the vertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting th needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating thelift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operating the slide cams, pattern chains and the means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below the needles, ac-

tuating connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the 'latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles, means for adjusting the last-named means, guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, a plurality of warp beams adjustably supported above the thread guides,

brakes controlling the warp beams, means for'increasing or decreasing the throw of the operatin means, series of fixed and vertically movable tension rods arranged between the thread guides and the warp beams, and means for adjusting the take-up mechanism.

19. In a knitting machine, a row of vertically, horizontally and obliquely movable needles, a series of angularly adjustable slidable thread guides movable at right angles to the path of movement of the needles, lift rods controlling the "ertical movement of the needles, means for horizontally shifting the needles, reciprocating slide cams actuating the lift rods, means for positively lowering the needles, horizontally movable slides acting upon the thread guides, a series of pattern chains controlling the movements of the slides, adjustable cams carried by the slide cams, means simultaneously operatingv the slide cams, pattern chains and the' means for horizontally moving the needles, take-up mechanism arranged below'the needles, ac-

tuating connections between the take-up mechanism and 'the operating means, means acting upon the slides for positively holding the same in abutting relation to the pattern chains, adjustable abutment. pins carried by the thread guides and in engagement with the said slides, means for preventing the latches of the needles snapping upwardly and closing on the rising of the needles,-

means for adjusting thelast-named means, guides horizontally supporting the slide cams, a plurality of warpbeams adjustably supported above the thread guides, brakes controlling the warp beams, means for increasing or decreasing the throw of the operatingmeans, series of fixed and vertically movable tension rods arranged between the thread guides and the warp beams, means for adjusting the take-up mechanism, and

means for adjusting the connections between the take-up mechanism and the operating means.

20. In a knitting machine of the character described, a main frame, a super frame supported thereby and having notched arms, a plurality of warp beams adjustably engaging the notched arms, flexible weighted brake straps acting upon the said beams, chain pattern mechanism supported by the main frame, laterally movable guide bars mounted in the main frame, means for angularly adjusting. the guide bars with relation to each other, thread guides mounted upon said guide bars, slides arranged between the said guide bars and the pattern chain mechanism and operative by the latter for laterally shifting the said guide bars, and vertically, horizontally and diagonally movable needles cooperative with the thread guides.

21. In a knitting machine of the characterlarly adjusting the guide bars with relation to each other, thread guides mounted upon said guide bars, slides arranged between the said guide bars and the pattern cham mech- 

